Students urged to burst their bubble and explore Universal City
STUDENTS settling down to life at the University of Bristol are being encouraged to get out of the city’s “geographic student bubble” and explore other parts of Bristol in a new initiative, which is the first of its kind in Britain.
The Universal City platform is an app, map and interactive digital tool which showcases African and African diaspora-owned businesses, community organisations and their heritage – and encourages Bristol Uni students to get out from Clifton, Redland and the city centre, and go and visit them.
The app and website even has a competition for students who visit black-owned businesses in Bristol.
It’s called Universal City, and is the first major collaboration between the University of Bristol and CARGO, a collective of artists, poets and filmmakers that was set up last year by poet Lawrence Hoo and is backed by Massive Attack.
The initiative is part of the university’s work to “critically engage” with the history and diversity of the university and the city around it, while “strengthening its relationship with Bristol’s communities”.
The website went live on Wednesday with a virtual launch for all first-year students, featuring a film depicting the diversity and history of Bristol through the voices of ordinary Bristolians, alongside musical performances.
“This exciting initiative offers our students and staff opportunities to engage in and with our city, in all its wonderful diversity,” said Professor Judith Squires, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the university.